How We Do a 48 Hour Film Project

With Foreword by Mark Ruppert, creator of the 48 Hour Film Project

Welcome to the 48!

The 48 Hour Film Project is a weekend film competition held in cities around the world. In just two days, filmmakers shoot, edit, and finish a short film. A few weeks later all entries are shown on the big screen, and prizes are awarded in various categories.

The "48" is an amazing opportunity to hone your filmmaking skills and meet other filmmakers to grow your network. And if you do it right, it's also wild and exhilarating and a whole lot of fun.

I've entered the 48 multiple times. I'm addicted to the sheer joy and camaraderie that comes from creating a film from scratch in a few short hours.

In this book, I describe the process I go through with my team, from pre-contest preparation through the weekend itself, then the awards ceremony and beyond. While not every team does it the same way, this book will help you navigate the process with useful, time-saving practices, and help you get the most from your own experience with the 48.

The 48 is open to novices and professionals alike, with restrictions designed to level the playing field. If you've been thinking about doing a 48 Hour Film Project in your city, this book will tell you how to prepare, what to expect, and how to have a great time doing it.